When I was about twenty I bought a guide to vibrators and massagers called "Good Vibrations" and being somewhat OCD I set out to collect some of the more interesting designs described in its pages.

One design really caught my eye and I went out of my way to buy it, found it on sale for $40, you can't buy it for under $100 these days. I gave it so much use... (massaging the backs and legs of my friends -silly!) that I wore it out. Though I hope to one day rebuild it, I recently purchased a new one, that was the Hitachi HVT-350 "Twinhead" massager.

[edit: I've just learned the Hitachi I just linked to has been discontinued. If you can find one anywhere I must urge you to buy one. If you can't afford one currently, familiarize yourself now so if you encounter one at a yard sale you will know to grab it]

At the same time I learned so much about these things that I began a "discreet vibrator repair service"... (which I still operate, if anyone needs their vibrators repaired). I should explain that no all vibrator repairs are "cost-effective" but just like cars, people develop a personal attachment to their vibrators and sometimes it is important to keep the ones you are familiar with.

So, why am I posting about this right now? Well an LJ friend of mine posted in her journal that she was writing a report on how at a time when "female orgasm" was still considered "a myth" doctors used to *masturbate* their female patients to cure "hysteria", a procedure later replaced by "hysterectomy" (now you know how it got it's name!)

I commented that this report would not be complete without a word or two on the vibrators of the day and I went on to say that I had an antique which I understand was the tool of those doctors!

She wrote back enthusiastically requesting data on my antique and I found it. My oldest antique vibrator is a Hamilton Beach "Type D" vibrator. The following I gathered today using Google:

In 1917, Hamilton-Beach had a "Type-D" vibrator with case, sold as an accessory to promote "good health and muscle tone" through vibrations and massage. This was later replaced with the 1921 Type "C" vibrator, with single round accessory:

I think I have another friend on my f-list who collects them. I also had a friend a few years ago who ..well.. she didn't collect them, on purpose, she just went through a lot of them..anyway.. you.. go see my post about photos.. :)